Week 2 Flashcards
List the contextual influences on public policy
-Political culture
-The constitution and federalism
-External influences like the noisy neighbours and globalization
-Indigenous Issues
Note: they are other factors that influence policy
What is political culture
- They dominant and relatively durable beliefs and values concerning political life that characterize a society
- They are broad ideas shared by a vast majority of society.
How many political culture is in Canada
- Those who say one, argue Canada tradition is said to be counterrevolutionary, in contrast to the revolutionary tradition of the US
- Those who say two, cultures associate these cultures with the two dominant language communities, French (pre-liberal) and English (liberal)
- Those who say Canada comprises of 10 different culture argue that demographics and economic characteristics have created distinct regional political culture.
What is the dominant political culture in Canada
Two political cultures
What are the implications of public policy on Canadian political culture broadly
It narrows the range of feasible policy option
Implications of “Two cultures” dominance among elite on public policy
- It elevates Quebec in political discussions.
- Generates resentments in western Canada
- It downplays the uniqueness of Indigenous culture
What is the Constitution in Constitutional act 1982
It is the supreme law of Canada, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.
What is the Constitution in Constitutional act 1867
- It created “dominion of Canada”
- Much of its principles related to the UK’s constitution. It meant the constitution included constitutional conventions and ensure responsible government.
- It also included principles related to the US constitution like the division of power (federalism), although the constitution was suppose to ensure centralization of power.
What event allowed Canada federalism become decentralized
- The JCPC became the last court of appeal. This narrowed the jurisdiction of the federal government and broadened the jurisdiction of the provincial government.
- A change in the society ie the population is increased, economies expanded and history lengthened.
What constitution act introduced the charter of rights and freedom
Constitution act 1982.
- It listed the rights, which were subject to limits
- Permitted the judiciary to strike down legislations against those rights
- It had judicial impacts on various policies.
What are the implication of Constitution on public policy
- It concentrates power on the cabinet.
- The charter allows the involvement of the judiciary in policy making.
What are the implication of Federalism on public policy
- Provides the provincial government power to enact policies
- It strengthens the PM and the premiers and allows collaboration
Influence of US on Canada’s public policy
- Trade
- Investment: Canada economy is owned by foreigners
- Capital Markets: Canadian companies and government often borrow money from investors
- Treaties: Ties in trade, investment and borrowing created treaties between US and Canada.
- Military: The economic reliance on US rule out the possibility of military alignment. “Canada is not Sweden”
- Media in the US come to dominate in Canada
Influence of globalization on Canada’s public policy
- It increases the ease of movement of goods and services, money, people, technologies, idea.
- Increases importance of multinational / international organization
- International norms affect policymaking
- Chief effect in Canada: Greater integration with the USA.
What are the implications of external factors on public policy
- It allows policies to be driven by American politics/policies
- It allows policies to be driven by international norms/agreements/organizations
- Reduced state capacity
